Information Collection Activity; Comment Request, 44157-44158 [2017-20076]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 182 / Thursday, September 21, 2017 / Notices Section 94.6 of part 94 of the regulations contains requirements governing the importation into the United States of carcasses, meat, parts or products of carcasses, and eggs (other than hatching eggs) of poultry, game birds, or other birds from regions of the world where HPAI exists or is reasonably believed to exist. HPAI is an extremely infectious and potentially fatal form of avian influenza in birds and poultry that, once established, can spread rapidly from flock to flock. A list of regions that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) considers affected with HPAI of any subtype is maintained on the APHIS Web site at https://www.aphis.usda.gov/ aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/animaland-animal-product-importinformation/ct_animal_disease_status. APHIS receives notice of HPAI outbreaks from veterinary officials of the exporting country, from the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), or from other sources the Administrator determines to be reliable. On June 1, 2017, the veterinary authorities of Zimbabwe reported to the OIE the confirmation of a highly pathogenic H5N8 strain of avian influenza in the Province of Mashonaland East that affected a commercial poultry breeding farm for broilers and layers with a total census of approximately 2 million birds. In response to that outbreak, APHIS placed restrictions on the importation of poultry, commercial birds, other types of birds (research, performing), ratites, any avian hatching eggs, unprocessed avian products and byproducts, and certain fresh poultry products from Zimbabwe to mitigate risk of HPAI introduction into the United States. Those restrictions went into effect on June 1, 2017. With the publication of this notice, we are adding Zimbabwe to the list of regions APHIS considers affected with HPAI of any subtype. asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with NOTICES Authority: 7 U.S.C. 450, 7701–7772, 7781– 7786, and 8301–8317; 21 U.S.C. 136 and 136a; 31 U.S.C. 9701; 7 CFR 2.22, 2.80, and 371.4. Done in Washington, DC, this 18th day of September 2017. Jere L. Dick, Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. [FR Doc. 2017–20120 Filed 9–20–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–34–P VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:52 Sep 20, 2017 Jkt 241001 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Rural Utilities Service Information Collection Activity; Comment Request Rural Utilities Service, USDA. Notice and request for comments. AGENCY: ACTION: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) invites comments on this information collection for which RUS intends to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by November 20, 2017. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas Dickson, Acting Director, Program Development and Regulatory Analysis, Rural Utilities Service, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., STOP 1522, Room 5164, South Building, Washington, DC 20250–1522. Telephone: (202) 690–4492. Fax: (202) 720–8435 or email Thomas.Dickson@ wdc.usda.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) regulation (5 CFR part 1320) implementing provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104–13) requires that interested members of the public and affected agencies have an opportunity to comment on information collection and recordkeeping activities (see 5 CFR 1320.8(d)). This notice identifies an information collection that RUS is submitting to OMB for extension. Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Agency’s estimate of the burden of the collection including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Comments may be sent to: Thomas Dickson, Acting Director, Program Development and Regulatory Analysis, Rural Utilities Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Stop 1522, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250–1522. Telephone: (202) 690–4493, Fax: (202) SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 44157 720–8435. Email: Thomas.Dickson@ wdc.usda.gov. Title: 7 CFR 1726, Electric System Construction Policies and Procedures. OMB Control Number: 0572–0107. Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection. Abstract: In order to facilitate the programmatic interest of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936, 7 U.S.C. 901 et seq. (RE Act), and, in order to assure that loans made or guaranteed by RUS are adequately secured, RUS, as a secured lender, has established certain standards and specifications for materials, equipment, and construction of electric systems. The use of standard forms, construction contracts, and procurement procedures helps assure that appropriate standards and specification are maintained, that RUS’ loan security is not adversely affected, and the loan and loan guarantee funds are used effectively and for the intended purposes. The list of forms and corresponding purposes for this information collection are as follows: 1. RUS Form 168b, Contractor’s Bond This form is used to provide a surety bond for contracts on RUS Forms 200, 257, 786, 790, & 830. 2. RUS Form 168c, Contractor’s Bond (less than $1 million) This form is used to provide a surety bond in lieu of RUS Form 168b, when contractor’s surety has accepted a small business administration guarantee. 3. RUS Form 187, Certificate of Completion-Contract Construction This form is used for the closeout of RUS Forms 200, 257, 786, and 830. 4. RUS Form 198, Equipment Contract This form is used for equipment purchases. 5. RUS Form 200, Construction Contract-Generating This form is used for generating plant construction or for the furnishing and installation of major items of equipment. 6. RUS Form 213, Certificate (‘‘Buy American’’) This form is used to document compliance with the ‘‘Buy American’’ requirement. 7. RUS Form 224, Waiver and Release of Lien This form is used by subcontractors to provide a release of lien in connection with the closeout of RUS Forms 198, 200, 257, 786, 790, and 830. 8. RUS Form 231, Certificate of Contractor This form is used for the closeout of RUS Forms 198, 200, 257, 786, and 830. E:\FR\FM\21SEN1.SGM 21SEN1 44158 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 182 / Thursday, September 21, 2017 / Notices 9. RUS Form 238, Construction or Equipment Contract Amendment This form is used to amend contracts except for distribution line construction contracts. 10. RUS Form 254, Construction Inventory asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with NOTICES This form is used to document the final construction in connection with the closeout of RUS Form 830. 11. RUS Form 257, Contract to Construct Buildings This form is used to construct headquarter buildings, generating plant buildings and other structure construction. 12. RUS Form 307, Bid Bond This form is used to provide a bid bond in RUS Forms 200, 257, 786, 790 and 830. 13. RUS Form 786, Electric System Communications and Control Equipment Contract This form is used for delivery and installation of equipment for system communications. 14. RUS Form 790, Electric System Construction Contract Non-Site Specific Construction (Notice and Instructions to Bidders) This form is used for limited distribution construction accounted for under work order procedure. 15. RUS Form 792b, Certificate of Contractor and Indemnity Agreement (Line Extensions) This form is used in the closeout of RUS Form 790. 16. RUS Form 830, Electric System Construction Contract (labor & material) This form is used for distribution and/ or transmission project construction. Respondents: Businesses or other for profits; Not-for-profit institutions. Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,161. Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 4. Estimate of Burden: Average of 1.5 minutes per response. Estimated number of Total Responses: 4.063 Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 98 hours. Copies of this information collection, and related forms and instructions, can be obtained from MaryPat Daskal, Program Development and Regulatory Analysis, at (202) 720–7853. All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the request for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of public record. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:52 Sep 20, 2017 Jkt 241001 Dated: September 13, 2017. Christopher A. McLean, Acting Administrator, Rural Utilities Service. [FR Doc. 2017–20076 Filed 9–20–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Rural Utilities Service Information Collection Activity; Comment Request Rural Utilities Service, USDA. Notice and request for comments. AGENCY: ACTION: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) invites comments on this information collection for which RUS intends to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by November 20, 2017. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas Dickson, Acting Director, Program Development and Regulatory Analysis, Rural Utilities Service, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., STOP 1522, Room 5164–South Building, Washington, DC 20250–1522. Telephone: (202) 690–4492. Fax: (202) 720–8435 or email Thomas.Dickson@ wdc.usda.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) regulation (5 CFR part 1320) implementing provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104–13) requires that interested members of the public and affected agencies have an opportunity to comment on information collection and recordkeeping activities (see 5 CFR 1320.8(d)). This notice identifies an information collection that RUS is submitting to OMB for extension. Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Agency’s estimate of the burden of the collection including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Comments may be sent to: SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Thomas Dickson, Acting Director, Program Development and Regulatory Analysis, Rural Utilities Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Stop 1522, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250–1522. Telephone: (202) 690–4493, Fax: (202) 720–8435. Email: Thomas.Dickson@ wdc.usda.gov. Title: RUS Electric Loan Application and Related Reporting. OMB Control Number: 0572–0032. Type of Request: Extension of an existing information collection. Abstract: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) was established in 1994 by the Federal Crop Insurance Reform and Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (Pub. L. 103–354, 108 Stat. 3178, 7 U.S.C. 6941 et. seq.) as successor to the Rural Electrification Administration (REA) with respect to certain programs, including the electric loan and loan guarantee program authorized under the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 901 et seq., as amended) (RE Act). The RE Act authorizes and empowers the Administrator of RUS to make and guarantee loans to furnish and improve electric service in rural areas. These loans are amortized over a period of up to 35 years and secured by the borrower’s electric assets and/or revenue. In the interest of protecting loan security, monitoring compliance with debt covenants, and ensuring that RUS loan funds are used for purposes authorized by law, RUS requires that borrowers prepare and submit for RUS evaluation certain studies and reports. Some of these studies and reports are required only once for each loan application; others must be submitted periodically until the loan is completely repaid. These forms and documents serve as support for electric loan applications and summarizes the types and estimated costs of facilities and equipment for which RUS financing is being requested. The RE Act also authorizes and empowers the Administrator of RUS to make or cause to be made, studies, investigations, and reports concerning the condition and progress of the electrification of the several States and Territories; and to publish and disseminate information with respect thereto. Information supplied by borrowers forms the basis of many of these reports. In the past two years, RUS has implemented an application intake system called RDApply that allows applicants to create an online application for RUS loans and grants as well upload attachments, sign E:\FR\FM\21SEN1.SGM 21SEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 182 (Thursday, September 21, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44157-44158]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-20076]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service


Information Collection Activity; Comment Request

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the 
Rural Utilities Service (RUS) invites comments on this information 
collection for which RUS intends to request approval from the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB).

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by November 20, 2017.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas Dickson, Acting Director, 
Program Development and Regulatory Analysis, Rural Utilities Service, 
USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., STOP 1522, Room 5164, South 
Building, Washington, DC 20250-1522. Telephone: (202) 690-4492. Fax: 
(202) 720-8435 or email Thomas.Dickson@wdc.usda.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) 
regulation (5 CFR part 1320) implementing provisions of the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13) requires that interested members 
of the public and affected agencies have an opportunity to comment on 
information collection and recordkeeping activities (see 5 CFR 
1320.8(d)). This notice identifies an information collection that RUS 
is submitting to OMB for extension.
    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the Agency, including whether the information will have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the Agency's estimate of the burden of the 
collection including the validity of the methodology and assumptions 
used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the 
collection of information on those who are to respond, including 
through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or 
other technological collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology. Comments may be sent to: Thomas Dickson, Acting Director, 
Program Development and Regulatory Analysis, Rural Utilities Service, 
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Stop 1522, 1400 Independence Avenue 
SW., Washington, DC 20250-1522. Telephone: (202) 690-4493, Fax: (202) 
720-8435. Email: Thomas.Dickson@wdc.usda.gov.
    Title: 7 CFR 1726, Electric System Construction Policies and 
Procedures.
    OMB Control Number: 0572-0107.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Abstract: In order to facilitate the programmatic interest of the 
Rural Electrification Act of 1936, 7 U.S.C. 901 et seq. (RE Act), and, 
in order to assure that loans made or guaranteed by RUS are adequately 
secured, RUS, as a secured lender, has established certain standards 
and specifications for materials, equipment, and construction of 
electric systems. The use of standard forms, construction contracts, 
and procurement procedures helps assure that appropriate standards and 
specification are maintained, that RUS' loan security is not adversely 
affected, and the loan and loan guarantee funds are used effectively 
and for the intended purposes. The list of forms and corresponding 
purposes for this information collection are as follows:

1. RUS Form 168b, Contractor's Bond

    This form is used to provide a surety bond for contracts on RUS 
Forms 200, 257, 786, 790, & 830.

2. RUS Form 168c, Contractor's Bond (less than $1 million)

    This form is used to provide a surety bond in lieu of RUS Form 
168b, when contractor's surety has accepted a small business 
administration guarantee.

3. RUS Form 187, Certificate of Completion-Contract Construction

    This form is used for the closeout of RUS Forms 200, 257, 786, and 
830.

4. RUS Form 198, Equipment Contract

    This form is used for equipment purchases.

5. RUS Form 200, Construction Contract-Generating

    This form is used for generating plant construction or for the 
furnishing and installation of major items of equipment.

6. RUS Form 213, Certificate (``Buy American'')

    This form is used to document compliance with the ``Buy American'' 
requirement.

7. RUS Form 224, Waiver and Release of Lien

    This form is used by subcontractors to provide a release of lien in 
connection with the closeout of RUS Forms 198, 200, 257, 786, 790, and 
830.

8. RUS Form 231, Certificate of Contractor

    This form is used for the closeout of RUS Forms 198, 200, 257, 786, 
and 830.


[[Page 44158]]


9. RUS Form 238, Construction or Equipment Contract Amendment

    This form is used to amend contracts except for distribution line 
construction contracts.

10. RUS Form 254, Construction Inventory

    This form is used to document the final construction in connection 
with the closeout of RUS Form 830.

11. RUS Form 257, Contract to Construct Buildings

    This form is used to construct headquarter buildings, generating 
plant buildings and other structure construction.

12. RUS Form 307, Bid Bond

    This form is used to provide a bid bond in RUS Forms 200, 257, 786, 
790 and 830.

13. RUS Form 786, Electric System Communications and Control Equipment 
Contract

    This form is used for delivery and installation of equipment for 
system communications.

14. RUS Form 790, Electric System Construction Contract Non-Site 
Specific Construction (Notice and Instructions to Bidders)

    This form is used for limited distribution construction accounted 
for under work order procedure.

15. RUS Form 792b, Certificate of Contractor and Indemnity Agreement 
(Line Extensions)

    This form is used in the closeout of RUS Form 790.

16. RUS Form 830, Electric System Construction Contract (labor & 
material)

    This form is used for distribution and/or transmission project 
construction.
    Respondents: Businesses or other for profits; Not-for-profit 
institutions.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,161.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 4.
    Estimate of Burden: Average of 1.5 minutes per response.
    Estimated number of Total Responses: 4.063
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 98 hours.
    Copies of this information collection, and related forms and 
instructions, can be obtained from MaryPat Daskal, Program Development 
and Regulatory Analysis, at (202) 720-7853. All responses to this 
notice will be summarized and included in the request for OMB approval. 
All comments will also become a matter of public record.

    Dated: September 13, 2017.
Christopher A. McLean,
Acting Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-20076 Filed 9-20-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P
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